No doubt about it.
The upper echelons of Konoha bear responsibility for this matter.
Shimura Danzo enticing Uchiha Itachi to massacre the Uchiha Clan caused extremely negative repercussions. If left unaddressed, will the ninja clans truly be willing to heed the commands of Konoha's leadership when confronted with external threats in the future?
Politics isn't as simple as casually issuing an order!
If not for the powerful Wood Release Ninja Akihara Kagura, who could suppress the unruly thoughts of others through sheer strength, Sarutobi Hiruzen would likely be overwhelmed with countless troubles!
"Kakashi!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen called out to the Anbu Ninja standing by his side and instructed, "Gather the clan leaders of all Konoha's ninja clans and reorganize their respective territories."
This is the division of interests.
The Uchiha Clan has become a vacant land.
Even though it's at the edge of Konoha, it still belongs to the village and is protected by the village's barrier. They might as well take this opportunity to distribute it to other ninja clans.
Taking this opportunity, Sarutobi Hiruzen also wanted to introduce Akihara Kagura to all the ninja clan leaders, letting them understand that Konoha's leadership wields both carrot and stick.
In fact, most of the ninja clans in Konoha have started to disperse and live separately, not always clustering together, as seen with the thriving Ino-Shika-Cho Clans and the Sarutobi Clan.
The only exception...
The Hyuga Clan is an exception.
However, the head of the Hyuga Clan, Hyuga Hizashi, didn't seem to oppose the leadership but sat quietly in the meeting room listening without expressing any opinions.
After attending this meeting, Akihara Kagura was ordered to carry out an escort mission for the Fourth Mizukage Karatachi Yagura and met the still somewhat weak Karatachi Yagura.
Compared to last time, the personnel escorting the Fourth Mizukage Karatachi Yagura this time had significantly increased, with Konoha boldly dispatching their strongest warriors and the entire Root!
Naturally.
Sarutobi Hiruzen was also worried that Akihara Kagura might act impulsively during the mission, so he specifically assigned Kakashi Hatake to oversee, fearing that Akihara Kagura might, on a whim, eliminate the Mizukage en route.
Kakashi Hatake looked at Akihara Kagura and the group of Root Ninjas, then glanced at the Fourth Mizukage Karatachi Yagura, feeling a sense of alienation at how much had changed.
Three years ago, they escorted the Fourth Mizukage Karatachi Yagura back to Konoha, with the Root Ninjas trailing behind like a tail; three years later, they were once again escorting the Fourth Mizukage Karatachi Yagura back to the Hidden Mist Village, with the Root Ninjas assisting in the escort.
What made Kakashi Hatake feel nostalgic was that one former team member was missing, and that was Uchiha Itachi, who had once been under his command.
Moreover...
The roles had changed.
Akihara Kagura had become the Root Leader.
Looking at Akihara Kagura, Kakashi Hatake felt a twinge of emotion, recalling how this fellow had always aspired to become the Root Leader while under his command, and now he had actually achieved it!
The journey was quite peaceful.
Due to a time differential, Konoha's opposing ninja villages hadn't reacted in time and were all in shock over the annihilation of the Uchiha Clan.
The entire Ninja World was astonished by Uchiha Itachi's determination and terror, as a prestigious ninja clan that had stood for millennia was destroyed by Uchiha Itachi alone.
The Clan Exterminator Itachi.
This title was officially bestowed upon Uchiha Itachi.
Of course.
What shocked the Ninja World even more was Akihara Kagura, who had defeated Uchiha Itachi. Some even believed that Konoha Ninja Akihara Kagura had already attained the power of the Ninja God Senju Hashirama!
Land of Rain.
Akatsuki Hideout.
Uchiha Obito and Uchiha Itachi arrived there, and coincidentally, right upon arrival, they encountered Orochimaru, where the three S-Class Traitorous Ninjas from Konoha reunited.
Orochimaru's lips curled into a smile.
He had also received news about Uchiha Itachi and even more detailed battle reports—Kabuto Yakushi risked being discovered by the Red Sand Sasori to pass on a message and requested a meeting.
Orochimaru intended to leave the Akatsuki to meet Kabuto Yakushi, but first encountered Uchiha Itachi, smiling, "Is this a hometown reunion?"
"Such a coincidence..."
Uchiha Obito chuckled lightly.
"Orochimaru..."
Uchiha Itachi had long anticipated Orochimaru's appearance.
Because Akihara Kagura informed him of this matter and even requested his help in dealing with Orochimaru, as part of the agreement that Akihara Kagura wouldn't harm Uchiha Sasuke.
"Let's go, Orochimaru."
Red Sand Sasori's Hiruko crawled over, disregarding Uchiha Obito and Uchiha Itachi, and coldly said, "Didn't you say you've been at the Hidden Sand Village for too long, falling behind on your experiments, and needed to collect materials today?"
"I have something to attend to; I'll be off first."
Orochimaru followed Red Sand Sasori, not planning to linger for a chat.
Orochimaru coveted Uchiha Itachi's Sharingan, but what he was more concerned about was news about Akihara Kagura, bearing the title of the new generation Ninja God.
This time...
Orochimaru, under the guise of collecting experimental materials, intended to secretly meet Kabuto Yakushi and relay information while Red Sand Sasori wasn't paying attention!
Deep within the Akatsuki Hideout.
Uchiha Itachi met with the leader of the Akatsuki.
Deva Path Pain handed Uchiha Itachi a ring, symbolizing formal membership in the Akatsuki, acknowledging Uchiha Itachi's strength.
Deva Path Pain, well-acquainted with his junior's abilities, earnestly praised, "Escaping from Kagura's grasp has already proved your power..."